LIVERMORE FALLS — For the third time in two weeks, police have received a report of copper piping being cut and ripped from an unoccupied house.

The owner of a rental building at 44 Knapp St. told Livermore Falls police Wednesday that copper plumbing pipes were stolen from the basement, Livermore Falls police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Thursday.

Police officer Steve Gould is investigating the theft, with the assistance of Sgt. Vern Stevens.

On July 5, Stevens began an investigation into stolen copper from Sewall Street, and on July 6 an investigation of stolen copper at a Wheeler Street house.

Jay police are also investigating the theft of copper piping from a Belleview Drive home between the evening of July 10 and the morning of July 11.

The overall damage to the properties is more than $3,000 with the value of the copper being estimated in hundreds of dollars, police said.

dperry@sunjournal.com